Xiang (向) Surname Meaning & Origin

Xiang (向) is a well-known Chinese surname. The character 向 has its own dictionary meaning, but as a family name it mainly functions as an identifier rather than a literal description of the family.

A Chinese surname is both a practical identifier and a cultural marker that connects a person to family history. For the surname Xiang (向), it’s helpful to understand how Chinese surnames generally formed and why the same surname can show up with different spellings.

It’s also common to see one-character surnames like this one paired with one- or two-character given names. For English readers, the key is consistency: decide on one spelling for official documents and use it everywhere.

Across different periods, families moved for work, study, military service, and trade. These migrations spread surnames widely and also created regional pronunciation differences. Because romanization converts sound into Latin letters, the same surname can appear with multiple spellings in English.

For most people, the most useful takeaway is how the surname is written, how it’s pronounced in Mandarin, and which English spellings you may encounter.

Mandarin pinyin spelling: Xiang. With tone marks: Xiàng.

Below are example full names combining the surname 向 with common given-name characters (one-character given names shown for simplicity):
– 向晨 (Xiang Chén) – morning.
– 向然 (Xiang Rán) – so; thus.
– 向欣 (Xiang Xīn) – joyful.
– 向伟 (Xiang Wěi) – great.
– 向轩 (Xiang Xuān) – lofty.
– 向琪 (Xiang Qí) – fine jade.

Different dialects and romanization systems can produce different spellings for the same surname. Keep the Chinese character (向) handy to avoid confusion.